Happy Rolph's

Happy Rolph’s Bird Sanctuary – FREE, Children Friendly

Open Mid May to Mid October

650 Read Rd.
St. Catharines, Ontario

http://www.stcatharines.ca/en/playin/HappyRolphsBirdSanctuary.asp?_mid_=10022

Anyone from St.Catharines, Niagara Falls, and Niagara-on-the-Lake, has most likely gone to Happy Rolph’s at some point in their lives.  I typically try to go at least once a year, it's one of this girl's favourite places to visit.  The great thing about this place is it’s great for people of all ages, and it’s FREE.  There is free parking in the parking lot.  Do NOT park on the streets as the streets are NO parking and you can get a parking ticket.  There are “No Dogs” signs posted so I would leave the pup at home for this excursion.

Adults will love this place just as much as the children.  Essentially it’s a petting zoo; all of the animals are in their own pens with the exception of the water fowl.  You are no longer allowed to bring apples and carrots for the animals.  They do have little feed dispensers that you can put a quarter in and get a little handful of feed to share with the animals.  They typically have two of all the animals, sometimes more.  You can see goats, horses, donkeys, lamas, cows, pigs, sheep, chickens, rabbits, ducks, geese and sometimes swans.  You can bring your bread to feed the birds.  If you don’t like walking through areas where ducks, geese, swans and seagulls walk freely then you may want to re-think this activity as the path through the animals leads you into the big pond area where the water fowl are.  The pond is fenced in but the birds can fly freely around.  They are very tame and will eat from your hand sometimes.  The paths lead you through beautifully landscaped scenery along Lake Ontario.  Bring your camera!  Great family shots can be taken here.  The paths conclude in a park with a playground, perfect for picnicking.  There is a pavilion in the park as well, I think it can be rented so don’t plan on eating under it in case it’s booked.

I love this place!